Switch for electric safety signals



Jan. 9, 1934. o. ANDERSON SWITCH FOR ELECTRIC SAFETY SiGNALS Filed Sept. 8, 1930 //1ve/1z0/: OTTO ANDERSON.

Attorney Patented Jan. 9, 1934 1 1,942,739 swrron non ELECTRIC SAFETY SIGNALS I Otto Anderson, Portland, Oreg. Application September 8, 1930. Seria1'No. 480,31 8

1 Claim.

My invention belongs in general to those embraced in signals for electric apparatus as a class. While it is herein shown in connection with a fiatiron, it is adaptable to other apparatus within -that class.

Theobject of my invention in particular is to provide a switch means for audible safety signals which can be installed as an accessory to electric flatirons. This apparatus is arranged with a trigger controlling a switch, the same functioning by gravity and. manually. A signal mechanism, such as a buzzer or bell of ordinary type, is secured on the iron; The circuit in the resistance element is tapped at a convenient place and the electric current led therefrom through the signal means and to the switch contacts so that when the circuit is closed the signal will operate. I attain these objects, as well as other advantages, by the construction, combination 2d and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawing which forms a part hereof.

Fig. I is a view of a flatiron horizontally placed, having my device in operative position, parts of the iron being broken away.

Fig. II is a view of such a fiatiron uprightly placed, parts broken away, showing my device inoperative in its position there illustrated.

Fig. III is a bottom plan view of the upper part of the flatiron casing, also adjacent parts, showing connections with the signal mechanism.

Fig. IV is a detail view of the switch pin, adj acent parts and insulation, on line IV-IV in Fig. I. i

Like characters refer to like parts in all views.

The fiatiron is of common electrically heated type. It has an upper casing A,and a lower casing B containing a staggered resistance element 1 of ordinary kind. The socket 2 has ter- V minals of the element 1 placed to receive contact of terminals in the plug 3, from which extend wires 4 to a source of electric energy. Supports 5 are positioned on the rear of the iron to retain it in upright position when so desired.

I A signal mechanism 6 of common type, having the usual highly conducting coil element for transmitting an electrical current, and terminals for its connections,is rigidly secured upon the iron. A connecting wire '1 extends from one terminal 7a. of the mechanism 6 to a convenient integral connection with the resistance element 1, as at 8. Theconductibility of the signal mech-' anism coil adapts it to transmit either direct or alternating current through it, coming from the resistance element 1, without that element transmitting its high temperature, or causing such heat in the said coil as to injure it or prevent its functioning, unless the signal is disregarded under normal conditions, and the entire iron is allowed to attain an excessive and destructive heat throughout its entirety. It is ob- 0 vious then that mechanism 6 does not require, and has no intervening thermostatic or current controlling means between it and the heating element 1, but is operated by direct supply of electric energy from the latter.

The terminals of the element 1 are the inlet 9 and outlet 10. A rigid strip 11 extends from the terminal 10 to a terminal 12. A rigid strip 13 has a terminal 14. in opposition and conveniently distanced from the terminal 12. From the strip 13 a connecting wire 15 extends to the opposing terminal 16 of the mechanism 6.

In the handle 17 of the iron, a trigger 18 is pivotally mounted at 19. A link 20 is pivotally connected in the end of the trigger 18 rearwardly of its pivot 19. The opposing end of the link 20 is pivotally connected with the'upward end of a pin 21, of insulating material, which extends downwardly from the handle 17 into the casing A. In the lower part of the pin 21 is a rigid switch button 22. This button is positioned so that-it can be drawn by the pin upwardly into engagement with the terminals 12 and 14 to close the circuit through the strips 11 and 13. It is also positioned so as to allow a gap between said 35 terminals when the pin 21 is downwardly pressed by the trigger, and thus open the switch and disconnect the circuit. Insulation material 23 is positioned in places thus indicated, to prevent crossing and a current transmission outside of the intermediate tapped course of current transmission arranged from the element 1 through mechanism 6. The course of the signal current is indicated by the arrows.

The operation is extremely simple and will now be explained. When the iron is left in dangerous horizontal position upon inflammable substance, the trigger falls by gravity and its switch connects the signal circuit as shown in. Fig. I. Thereupon the signal'is actuated and the operator warned of the danger. The signal'will op erate thus until either it is disconnected or the power plug is withdrawn to disconnect the circuit in the heating element. It is also obvious that when the iron is in use, the trigger is pressed upwardly as the operator grasps it and the handle of the iron. This disconnects the switch and. the signal apparatus. It will also be seen that when the iron is rested in the usual upright position the trigger is so arranged in its center of gravity that it will drop downwardly and disconnect the switch and signal apparatus as shown in Fig. II.

It is well known that public oificials and underwriters of fire hazards demand all possible guards for safety in electrical apparatus. Therefore it will be seen that I have provided a new and useful insulation for my device. It consists in the pin 21 of insulation material, and also insulation plates about the connecting strips, wires and signal apparatus of my device; These insulations are particularly necessary, to prevent the direct current from the power source, which is tapped, from crossing or penetrating toward the handle and injuring the operator, damaging property or burning out the signal apparatus.

My device can be adapted and arranged for other electrical apparatus Where heating elements are a feature therein. It can be most economically and efiiciently arranged upon electric flatii'ons without disturbing the construction of those of common type. It is new and useful in many respects.

I claim:

In an electric flat iron device having a horizontal position and an upright position, a switch means, comprising a trigger pivotally mounted near one end thereof in the lower rear part of the handle of the iron, the long end of the trigger extending along the handle in a position to be gripped by the operator, a pin pivotally connected to the short end of the trigger, spaced stationary contacts carried within the irons casing, a contact bridging member mounted on the free end of the pin for bridging the stationary contacts, the long end of the trigger being movable by its own weight away from the handle in the horizontal position of the iron and toward the handle in the upright position of the iron.

OTTO ANDERSON. 

